Male Infanticide: A Case Study

Part 1 - Introduction to Chacma Baboon Behavior

Chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) are primates that occupy a variety of habitats over their range in southern Africa. This species exists in social groups with adult males, adult females, and infants. There are dominance hierarchies among both adult males and adult females, but while female ranks are stable, male ranks change frequently. Alpha males are also known to have greater reproductive success than other males.

A group of chacma baboons
Photo courtesy of Robert Seyfarth and Dorothy Cheney

Palombit et al. (2000) and Weingrill (2000) both studied chacma baboon behavior and observed infanticide (killing of conspecific infants) by male group members. Males primarily killed by biting (male chacma baboons have large canine teeth) and attacks appeared to be directed at infants.

Questions

1. Generate some hypotheses to explain why males may kill infants.

2. Would this type of behavior be likely to benefit the group as a whole or only the individual who commits infanticide?

 

Part 2 - Which Males Are Infanticidal?

This website was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Biology 323, Animal Behavior, at Davidson College in the Spring Semester 2009.
Please send any comments, questions or suggestions regarding this website to Evan Eskew or Dr. Verna Case.